Explaining that the acquisition of knowledge and wealth and rank by men of evil nature is the (means of) exposing him (such a one) to shame and ü like a sword that has fallen into the hand of a brigand.

بدگهر را علم و فن آموختن ** دادن تیغی به دست راه‌زن

To teach the evil-natured man knowledge and skill is to put a sword in the hand of a brigand.

تیغ دادن در کف زنگی مست ** به که آید علم ناکس را به دست

It is better to put a sword in the hand of an intoxicated negro than that knowledge should come into the possession of a worthless person.

علم و مال و منصب و جاه و قران ** فتنه آمد در کف بدگوهران

Knowledge and wealth and office’ and rank and fortune are a mischief in the hands of the evil-natured.

پس غزا زین فرض شد بر ممنان ** تا ستانند از کف مجنون سنان

Therefore the Holy War was made obligatory on the true believers for this purpose, (namely) that they might take the spear-point from the hand of the madman.

جان او مجنون تنش شمشیر او ** واستان شمشیر را زان زشت‌خو1440

His (the evil-natured man's) spirit is (like) the madman, and his body is (like) his (the madman's) sword: take away the sword from that wicked man!

آنچ منصب می‌کند با جاهلان ** از فضیحت کی کند صد ارسلان

How should a hundred lions inflict the shame which (high) office inflicts upon the ignorant?

عیب او مخفیست چون آلت بیافت ** مارش از سوراخ بر صحرا شتافت

His vice is hidden, (but) when he got the instrument (gained power), his snake, (coming out) from its hole, sped along the plain.

جمله صحرا مار و کزدم پر شود ** چونک جاهل شاه حکم مر شود

The entire plain is filled with snakes and scorpions when the ignorant man becomes king (master) of the bitter (harsh) decree.

مال و منصب ناکسی که آرد به دست ** طالب رسوایی خویش او شدست

The worthless person who acquires wealth and office has become the seeker of his own disgrace.

یا کند بخل و عطاها کم دهد ** یا سخا آرد بنا موضع نهد1445

Either he behaves stingily and gives few presents, or he shows generosity and bestows (them) in the wrong place (unsuitably).

شاه را در خانه‌ی بیذق نهد ** این چنین باشد عطا که احمق دهد

He puts the king in the house (square) of the pawn: the gifts which a fool makes are like this.

حکم چون در دست گمراهی فتاد ** جاه پندارید در چاهی فتاد

When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).

راه نمی‌داند قلاووزی کند ** جان زشت او جهان‌سوزی کند

He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration.

طفل راه فقر چون پیری گرفت ** پی‌روان را غول ادباری گرفت

When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).

که بیا تا ماه بنمایم ترا ** ماه را هرگز ندید آن بی‌صفا1450

“Come,” says he, “for I will show thee the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.

چون نمایی چون ندیدستی به عمر ** عکس مه در آب هم ای خام غمر

How wilt thou show (the moon) when during (all) thy life thou hast not seen even the reflexion of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?